33
answers
D.W.
asks from
Wichita, KS
on
March 18, 2010
Bubble Bath Dangerous for Little Girls??
My 17 month old daughter loves bubbles in her bath! My Mom told me when I was a baby (a few years ago:)) that she was told it causes infections for little girls privates. Has anyone else heard that?
Featured Answers
J.C.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 20, 2010
Yes, I heard that it can cause irritation. We were experiencing some pain for my DD and we cut out the bubble baths for a couple of weeks and it helped. Now we haven't banned bubble baths, but we limit them to one a wee.
F.B.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
never had a problem with my niece or any of the girls I was a nanny for (3) over the years, we love bubble bath. (PS it's soap, so there should be no cause for infection, soap cleans infection)
K.V.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
D.,
I don't want to sound to old school, but my granddaughter's
doctor said that too. His actual words were do not let her sit
in bubble bath water to play. If she wants to play let her do it
for a short time then bath her and get her as soon as possible.
My granddaughter would get so irritated and red that we would
have to get some cream for her. So he suggested that she
would not get into the tub with bubble bath and stay too long.
I know how much they enjoy it so. Maybe there is an organic
one or one that would not cause the irritation.
My best to you and if you find one let me know,
Thanks!!
More Answers
A.L.
answers from
Las Vegas
on
March 18, 2010
I wouldn't say it causes infections perse, BUT soap in general can cause one's ph balance to go out of whack which in turn yes, can cause a rash or in some cases can add to a yeast infection.. it's also very drying due to sodium chloride which is what makes the bubbles...
2 moms found this helpful
I.G.
answers from
Seattle
on
March 18, 2010
It is true, they can lead to UTIs and yeast infections. In boys too, they are just not as susceptible.
If your daughter never had any problems, a bubble bath once in a while will probably not hurt - I just would not do it every day.
The problem is that soap destroys the natural defenses of our skin and all the "good bacteria" that keep you healthy. If you sit in soapy water the soap will get into the vagina and sometimes the urethra. There it causes irritation and can lead to overgrowth of yeast. This is true for adult women too.
2 moms found this helpful
B.S.
answers from
Joplin
on
March 19, 2010
Yes. They do. Bubble baths should be a RARE treat treat, and when you do allow it, be sure to use something mild.
1 mom found this helpful
S.C.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
March 18, 2010
yes. it is true. ask your pediatrician. Mine said the same. Look up online about UTI in little girls and it'll say that girls should avoid bubble baths. You can google: "UTI in little girls, bubble baths" and there should be plenty of information available.
Since my daughter was 2, we stopped giving her bubble baths (she's 4 now). That's sad because kids are meant to have bubble baths. That's the fun part of taking a bath!
1 mom found this helpful
M.G.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
Yes, it easily can cause infections and irritations. When I was a child (even up to my adolescents) I would always get some type of infection or VERY irritated from bubble baths. There are some very harsh chemicals in those products to make them sudsy. I strongly urge you to shop somewhere like Whole Foods and get an all natural bubble bath without sodium lauryl sulfate. I have a five year old daughter and I have used nothing but all natural organic products on her since day one. Hope this helps!
1 mom found this helpful
V.C.
answers from
Dallas
on
March 18, 2010
D.,
Yes, there is a warning on the bottle if the product might cause it. Unfortunately lots of children products are not safe or nontoxic. If you are interested in some that are, let me know.
I used to let my toddlers blow bubbles while they were in the tub, maybe she would enjoy that.
V.
P.G.
answers from
Des Moines
on
March 18, 2010
I believe it can also lead to irritation of the urethra and bladder infection due to the short urethra little girls have.
J.C.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 20, 2010
Yes, I heard that it can cause irritation. We were experiencing some pain for my DD and we cut out the bubble baths for a couple of weeks and it helped. Now we haven't banned bubble baths, but we limit them to one a wee.
M.S.
answers from
Columbia
on
March 19, 2010
On most of the bubble baths we have bought, they actually say on the back may cause urinary track infections. Of course this is only if you use it everytime she takes a bath. I actually just use my son's shampoo, and it works about the same. The bubbles may not last as long, but he ususally is to into his toys to even notice by that time. I would not use it excessively.
C.H.
answers from
Wichita
on
March 19, 2010
Yes this is true! I have a little gird that has battled urinary tract infections since she was one. One of the things that my doctor told me is not to use bubble bath in the tub since it can be an irritate to their privates. So even though it is fun, it is not the best thing to use for little girls.
C.R.
answers from
Seattle
on
March 18, 2010
I have heard that, too! I have no idea how true it is, my daughter used to love bubble baths also. I'm sure every once in awhile can't hurt...
J.B.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
My daughter was diagnosed with urinary reflux when she was 20 months old which caused her to be prone to UTIs. We use California Baby bubble bath (online or Target carries it). It's a little pricey (around $10) but supposed to be safe and it has a bubble wand inside that my daughter loves to blow bubbles with during her bath.
F.B.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
never had a problem with my niece or any of the girls I was a nanny for (3) over the years, we love bubble bath. (PS it's soap, so there should be no cause for infection, soap cleans infection)
J.B.
answers from
Seattle
on
March 18, 2010
It can happen. My daughter would sometimes get red and irritated after a bubble bath (but never full blown UTI's). We found that if she only had bubbles one a week, used a more natural brand, and did a clean water rinse as she was about to step out of the bath it didn't become an issue.
L.K.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
No a myth, very true. It is actually the scents and sometimes dyes more than anything. Even if you don't think it's true, why take the chance with your daughter's health?
L. K
B.B.
answers from
Springfield
on
March 19, 2010
Yes, It causes yeast infections. Why, I'm not sure, but it does happen. my granddaughter has the same problem when she takes bubble baths.
M.B.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
It happened to my daughter when she was about your little one's age. Our doctor recommended using nothing other than Johnson's (or the equivalent off brand) since it is safer and has less perfumes/dyes in it. She gets pretty bummed about not having bubbles in the bath tub ... but we just let her bring in toys instead.
M.B.
answers from
St. Louis
on
March 19, 2010
It can cause irritation in very sensitive skin, but what I'm more concerned about with my daughter (21 mons. and also LOVES bubbles) is that it dries out her skin and makes her rashy and itchy. Maybe just once in awhile?
You can also try rinsing her off with pure water after you start draining the bubbles. That should help rinse off any irritating soap.
Have fun!
R.P.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
March 18, 2010
I used to have that problem when I was a kid actually, so I haven't used regular bubble bath with my daughter.
I DID find some great bubble bath from California Baby that's extremely gentle and smells good. You can get it at Diapers.com. I bought some for my daughter (21 months), thinking she would love a bubble bath, but she doesn't like the bubbles to touch her. (Oh, well.) But it bubbled up nicely (not as much as Mr. Bubble-type products though).
K.C.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
I second (or third or what have you) california baby. I used to get utis a lot, and got more with bubble baths, but my girls have had no problems with the california baby stuff (or anything natural, I would think).
K.
J.B.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
March 18, 2010
they can if done a lot. my 3 year old daughter takes bubble baths a few times a week and i have yet to hear her complain about it hurting when she pees or anything like that. her bubble bath is hypo allergenic. they also have bubble bath by johnson thats baby safe maybe try that.
L.M.
answers from
Honolulu
on
March 18, 2010
bubble bath that is manufactured outside of the USA uses water from places that don't actually sterilize the water (so you are getting sewage water...). I know that was the case 20 years ago, and still might be the case. I just make my own. I use the shampoo method and not the dish-soap.
http://howtomakestuff.com/2004/01/23/arts-and-crafts-194/...
K.S.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 18, 2010
Yes. It can cause UTI's in girls. Some girls are more prone to them, than others. I've also heard colored t-paper can too(do they even make it anymore?).
M.K.
answers from
Stationed Overseas
on
March 18, 2010
Yes it is possible for her to get a UTI from the bubble bath. I would suggest not doing it every night and rinse her off well afterwards. Some kids tend to get a UTI easier than others and some not at all.
H.S.
answers from
Detroit
on
March 18, 2010
If a child, boys and girls alike take too many bubble baths, they can get a yeast infection. There are topical creams (like diaper rash ointment) that can be rubbed in to prevent them. I used to get them all the time when I was younger. Limit her bubble baths to maybe twice a week. Good luck and don't panic too much! Save that for when she realizes that boys don't have cooties after all. :D
A.F.
answers from
Lawrence
on
March 19, 2010
Yes it can cause urinary tract infections. Limit the bubble baths to once a week. Most bubble bath bottles have this warning hidden in the small print
K.S.
answers from
Minneapolis
on
March 19, 2010
I typically don't use soap, just water and essential oils. It doesn't dry out there skin, but the water and a washcloth still keeps them clean.
M.F.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
I just gave my 2.5 yr old her first bubble bath. (because of my own susceptibility to UTI's) Now I am battling HER infection with no insurance...I guess I'm heading to the ER so I can NOT pay them. Stupid, STUPID, STUPID...I knew better.
M.S.
answers from
Houston
on
March 18, 2010
Look on the bottle, most of the ones I have bought say prolonged exposure can cause genital irritation, I buy the sensitive skin mr. Bubbles w/ no dye or perfume, and only use it on occasion, although I am not sure if it's even bad to use but I have wondered this also.
R.J.
answers from
San Diego
on
March 19, 2010
I've been told this is a myth by my ped and many other sources - just like how women "shouldn't" bathe or swim on their periods (but have first hand experience that babywipes cause yeast infections in adults... the USMC does not really provide toilet paper in the field... so WM's learn the hard way not to depend on babywipes... imagine 300 women all with a yeast infection... yeah... good times).
That said... we just used baby shampoo as our "bubble" bath. It doesn't bubble as much... but it did dual duty of cleaning and fun. Just need to rinse off afterward.
D.P.
answers from
Gainesville
on
March 18, 2010
yeah i have heard this actually i just got this bad news from the doctor like 2 weeks ago about my daughter she vaginitis a type of uti, and the only cause it could be bc we hadnt recently change anything,so the doctor told us to dicontinue use of her bubble bath and to use baby j&j soap on her and now her problem is gone..
K.W.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
Yes, it can, if your child is prone to urinary tract infections. If your daughter ever complains about pain when she is urinating or if she needs to go often with very little output, then she will need to be treated and you should discontinue the bubble baths. If she tolerates them well, then it's fine, just maybe not every time. Occasionally you should give her a bath with just warm water and no bubbles.
K.V.
answers from
Kansas City
on
March 19, 2010
D.,
I don't want to sound to old school, but my granddaughter's
doctor said that too. His actual words were do not let her sit
in bubble bath water to play. If she wants to play let her do it
for a short time then bath her and get her as soon as possible.
My granddaughter would get so irritated and red that we would
have to get some cream for her. So he suggested that she
would not get into the tub with bubble bath and stay too long.
I know how much they enjoy it so. Maybe there is an organic
one or one that would not cause the irritation.
My best to you and if you find one let me know,
Thanks!!